Dimensioning in 3D

[jamami]

Is there any way of dimensioning the radius of a cut out made on a 3D solid?

The cut edge is not detected as a radius even when orthographic set at 90 deg to the cutting plane. Do I have to use solview/soldraw etc to create 2D versions of the view to dimension?

I get the same issues when trying to dim wall thickness, overall widths of tubes etc.

 

j a m a m i

[ReMark]

I'm not a big fan of dimensioning 3D solids and always extract the 2D views. Maybe it's my past background on the drafting board.

 

I suppose you could "fudge" it since you do know what the radius is. The trick is to get the dimension located correctly relative to the solid model so there are no surprises when it is time to plot.

[rkent]

I don't remember having any problems with dimensioning radius in 3D solids. I just tried it and it worked fine but I have no idea what your example looks like, how you arrived at the radius. Post a small sample of one that you can't dimension here so we can have a look.

[ReMark]

rkent. What visual style do you normally use when dimensioning a 3D solid?

[rkent]

In MS - Shademode = 2D, In PS - mview, shadeplot = hidden

 

Why do you ask, have you had problems dimensioning with visual styles set to other than 2D?

[ReMark]

More out of curiosity than anything else. I think a number of users who post here with similar problems are using a realistic visual style and I just wonder if that makes picking geometry a bit more of a challenge.

 

Like I said I rarely, if ever, dimension a 3D solid. The end product I need to create usually calls for the normal 2D views so that's where I do all my dimensioning.

[rkent]

More out of curiosity than anything else. I think a number of users who post here with similar problems are using a realistic visual style and I just wonder if that makes picking geometry a bit more of a challenge.

 

Like I said I rarely, if ever, dimension a 3D solid. The end product I need to create usually calls for the normal 2D views so that's where I do all my dimensioning.

 

I prefer to show the 3D model in the needed orthographic views rather than creating a separate set of objects. I am using the Drawing Views more and more since they are tied to the model. I am hoping 2013 improved on the Drawing Views so they are more robust.

[SLW210]

I can dimension no matter the shademode. My WAG would be what is trying to be dimensioned does not have a constant radius, but is more an elliptical or spline shape.

 

Can you post the drawing?

[Patrick Hughes]

I typically just cheat and use a leader so I very seldom use dim>>rad but you should be able to select the center of the radius then an endpoint then orient to position, no?

[jamami]

I don't remember having any problems with dimensioning radius in 3D solids. I just tried it and it worked fine but I have no idea what your example looks like, how you arrived at the radius. Post a small sample of one that you can't dimension here so we can have a look.

 

Hi rkent

Heres one example, but it is the same with every time i try this

1/ draw 2 tubes

2/ subtract one from the other

3/ set up ortho view in paper space and try to dim radius - no luck. I think this maybe because it is only an apparent radius when viewed from one direction ie the radius of the tube which has been subtracted.

i can get the above to work if i flatten the whole thing-but then lose dynamic updates when changed

[rkent]

Yeah, that isn't going to work, I have problems with Inventor on similar stuff so it isn't just AutoCAD.

[jamami]

OK, thanks for looking

 

j a m a m i

[JD Mather]

That isn't a circular arc.

[Dadgad]

That isn't a circular arc.

 

The only way it will be a circular arc is when they intersect at 90 degrees.